The Eagle has landed

Brian Davis, 17, works among tigers, lions at animal sanctuary

Eagle Scout Candidate Brian Davis 17, is watched by two resident leopards as he adjusts one of the 10 viewing benches Saturday Nov. 17, that he and members of troop 112 built as part of his community service project at the Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary in Citra

Jon Singley/Ocala Star-Banner

By Andy FillmoreCorrespondent

Published: Thursday, November 22, 2012 at 10:58 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 22, 2012 at 10:58 p.m.

CITRA — The lions, tigers and bears at the Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS) have an eagle in their midst.

Brian Davis, 17, a senior at Vanguard High School and a member of Boy Scout Troop 112, was awarded his Eagle Scout badge Nov. 10. His required community service involved more than 500 hours of time at EARS, with assistance from 26 fellow troop members, eight adult leaders and four adult volunteers.

For his project, Davis placed 10 benches throughout the 35-acre sanctuary and repaired a 40-foot by 17-foot portion of a cage now occupied by Gabe, a Florida panther.

“This is the last stop for most of these animals,” Davis said as he walked around the large containment and exercise cages on the property. “They have been confiscated from unlicensed owners or rescued from cases of abuse.”

He knows the animals well and can tell visitors their history.

“The capuchin there is Kiki. She’ll grab her metal food dish and climb up high in her cage and bang the bowl down on a flat surface. It’s something ingrained in them about smashing nuts they find,” Davis said.

“That’s Sebastian the lion there, and that’s Oden the 850-pound liger (part lion and part tiger) over there. Back there is Gabe the cougar. He was an unwanted animal, and in another area, Norman the tiger, a sad case. Norman was abused, kicked in the jaw by his owner and developed gangrene. Now he’s here and he’s the sweetest animal,” he added.

“EARS was founded in 1988 by Jay Perrett and myself as a non-profit volunteer rescue for animals,” explained Gail Bowen. “Yes, this is the last stop for many animals formerly owned by unlicensed or abusive owners.”

She said in some cases, the animals are delivered to the sanctuary by law enforcement.

Davis pointed out that one rescued tiger, Susu, was the product of a “tiger mill,” similar to a puppy mill.

Bowen said the sanctuary also is home to bears, monkeys, cats and dogs. Tortoises also live at the sanctuary, which Davis said he had to recapture in a “high-speed pursuit.”

“These animals are my friends,” he said.

Brian, a Scout for 11 years, said he was inspired to strive for Eagle rank in the fourth grade, when a school orientation featured Scout activities. He has earned 28 merit badges to date and enjoyed metalworking the most.

“I like to tinker with things. I plan to go to the University of Florida and major in mechanical engineering,” he said.

His father, Michael Davis, was a Boy Scout and is now active in leading Troop 112, as is his mother, Tammy. The troop is sponsored by Druid Hills United Methodist Church. Dave Pennuto is scoutmaster.

“Scouting became part of our family,” Tammy Davis said. “We told Brian, ‘No Eagle, no car,’ ” she said, as he nodded in agreement.

“I’ve seen such a growth in Brian’s maturity due to Scouting, and especially the Eagle program,” Tammy Davis added.

Only about five percent of all Scouts achieve Eagle, which is Scouting’s highest rank.

<p>CITRA — The lions, tigers and bears at the Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS) have an eagle in their midst.</p><p>Brian Davis, 17, a senior at Vanguard High School and a member of Boy Scout Troop 112, was awarded his Eagle Scout badge Nov. 10. His required community service involved more than 500 hours of time at EARS, with assistance from 26 fellow troop members, eight adult leaders and four adult volunteers.</p><p>For his project, Davis placed 10 benches throughout the 35-acre sanctuary and repaired a 40-foot by 17-foot portion of a cage now occupied by Gabe, a Florida panther.</p><p>“This is the last stop for most of these animals,” Davis said as he walked around the large containment and exercise cages on the property. “They have been confiscated from unlicensed owners or rescued from cases of abuse.” </p><p>He knows the animals well and can tell visitors their history.</p><p>“The capuchin there is Kiki. She'll grab her metal food dish and climb up high in her cage and bang the bowl down on a flat surface. It's something ingrained in them about smashing nuts they find,” Davis said.</p><p>“That's Sebastian the lion there, and that's Oden the 850-pound liger (part lion and part tiger) over there. Back there is Gabe the cougar. He was an unwanted animal, and in another area, Norman the tiger, a sad case. Norman was abused, kicked in the jaw by his owner and developed gangrene. Now he's here and he's the sweetest animal,” he added.</p><p>“EARS was founded in 1988 by Jay Perrett and myself as a non-profit volunteer rescue for animals,” explained Gail Bowen. “Yes, this is the last stop for many animals formerly owned by unlicensed or abusive owners.” </p><p>She said in some cases, the animals are delivered to the sanctuary by law enforcement.</p><p>Davis pointed out that one rescued tiger, Susu, was the product of a “tiger mill,” similar to a puppy mill.</p><p>Bowen said the sanctuary also is home to bears, monkeys, cats and dogs. Tortoises also live at the sanctuary, which Davis said he had to recapture in a “high-speed pursuit.”</p><p>“These animals are my friends,” he said.</p><p>Brian, a Scout for 11 years, said he was inspired to strive for Eagle rank in the fourth grade, when a school orientation featured Scout activities. He has earned 28 merit badges to date and enjoyed metalworking the most.</p><p>“I like to tinker with things. I plan to go to the University of Florida and major in mechanical engineering,” he said.</p><p>His father, Michael Davis, was a Boy Scout and is now active in leading Troop 112, as is his mother, Tammy. The troop is sponsored by Druid Hills United Methodist Church. Dave Pennuto is scoutmaster.</p><p>“Scouting became part of our family,” Tammy Davis said. “We told Brian, 'No Eagle, no car,' ” she said, as he nodded in agreement.</p><p>“I've seen such a growth in Brian's maturity due to Scouting, and especially the Eagle program,” Tammy Davis added. </p><p>Only about five percent of all Scouts achieve Eagle, which is Scouting's highest rank.</p>